Dixya Poudel

The year 2020 has been a devastating and despairing year. The coronavirus pandemic raged throughout the year on a global scale. However, as 2021 nears by, the vaccines against the virus are soon to be rolled out for the general population.
Like the rest of the world, Nepal too had its share of lockdown. Now the nation has resumed life but normalcy is yet to preside. People everywhere are armed with facial masks while they practice social distancing. While the world waits out this crisis, New Year 2021 has neared. After the celebrations of Christmas, people across the globe now find themselves on the cusp of 2021 and with it, a promise of brighter days.
January 1st is a milestone day for the western world. And it isn't a recent development since civilisations throughout history have been observing the start of New Year for the past four millennia. Each year, people celebrate New Year's Eve with parties and fireworks that last until the early hours of New Year's Day. Even Nepal which has its own calendar acknowledges the importance of the western New Year's Day. However, the forthcoming New Year's Day is to be a rather solemn event.
A new year means a hopeful beginning and a fresh start. People tend to make resolutions for the upcoming days on the onset of New Year. However, it depends on the individuals to carry out their resolutions with determination. It means cleaning their slate and promising to be a better person. Most often they resolve to get fit and healthy. They also make resolutions to strengthen family ties and reconnect with friends.
Further, people vow to quit smoking, go vegan and add travels to their resolutions. They also aim to be better students and competent employers or employees. Thus the New Year sees people determined to take better care of their physical, emotional and cognitive health. Life is to be lived with our loved ones. And what better way to express our love for them than by resolving to be a loving and caring person?
It is human nature to look forward into the future wishing for prosperity. And the beginning of a week, month and year is when people are suffused with feelings of hope and optimism. Even psychologists assert to the fact that most people feel optimistic towards a new beginning. 2020 was filled with dreaded news. The virus resulted in economic downturns while countries worldwide were shrouded with uncertainty about the future.
Each day saw new cases of the virus as the health system had to bear the brunt of the pandemic. People wondered if the virus would have been checked with early interventions and stringent measures. Did they misstep and made errors that could otherwise have been prevented? As 2020 comes to a close, the world has to contend with the failures and desolations of the past year.
Despite this unimagined situation and the nightmares that unfolded, humanity can still take lessons for the future. It is crucial that history doesn’t repeat itself. We need to consistently progress and the beauty of human life is that one can always find room for improvement and growth. As the clock hands align to midnight on the eve of New Year's Day, the year 2021 shall commence with renewed optimism.